Live for each day!!!

The wonderful Lindsay led worship the other week and used a song by Casting Crowns called 'East to West' the words were just so powerful and spoke to me so clearly, especially the chorus: "Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west ‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been Rising up in me again In the arms of Your mercy I find rest ‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west From one scarred hand to the other" The words circled around in my mind for ages, so I went out and bought the album , which I have been listening to over and over again. It is just so amazing and is speaking into areas of my life which I didn't realise needed looking at. A song on the album titled 'I know You're there' is one which has completely lifted me this evening and renewed my energy and hunger for God, but also strengthened me to carry out His will. This song has been my prayer to God tonight. "If all I had was one last breath I...

After a brilliant youth social at King Georges Park tonight, where they all played rounders and football, I decided to keep out in the fresh air and went walking after the Youth had left. There was just something so liberating being free to walk around the park. After a really positive and uplifting day it was just so wonderful to be able to reflect on all the busyness of the last couple of weeks. It was time to think of questions posed, answered and thought of. It was time just to marvel at the awesomeness of creation. Deciding that it was too cold to stay out but still not wanting to return home I went for one of my drives. Again I felt so free. I had my worship CDs on and I just spent time out from everything. A song which has been really prominent for me over the last few days has been a Vineyard one called "Child of God". The chorus is still echoing around in my mind; "Father, You're all I need My soul's sufficiency My strength when I am weak That love that ...

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, "Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you." Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not j...

Jim Rohn once said "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." When I first read this quote I dismissed it and thought how untrue this was! However this has been swirling around in my mind for a while and I keep thinking if this is true, who would I want those five people to be? Do I personally surround myself with people of whom I aspire to be like, who I value and appreciate, who I look up to, who support me and who I can be a support to; do I surround myself with people who have a positive influence on my life and my walk with Christ? This also led onto the thought process that my one true goal in life is to become more like Jesus. That is my biggest want and I think most Christians if not all relate to that. If the quote is true, then sense would tell me that I need to spend more time with God, in worship, in prayer and in study. Yet I know that since reading this quote I haven't stepped up my time with God, I haven't increased it in qua...

We had a youth cell tonight where we focused on praying. We were looking at different ways in which we can make praying more interesting. It was such an enjoyable night we had hand painting, play doh, collage making, a quiet area, sand and tin foil. Then to top it all off we had bubbles!!! At 8:30pm we all stood outside with a pot of bubbles each and prayed together. Every time we said a prayer or agreed with a pray as well as saying 'AMEN' we blew some bubbles - almost to seal the prayer. It was truly beautiful watching the bubbles float away knowing that each one resembled a prayer, a thought, an apology, an emotion, an ask, a need from us to God.

At church over the last few weeks we have been looking at grace. It has truly been such a challenging and encouraging time. Yesterday we looked at strengthening grace. These words from an old hymn were read out and just really gave me real peace and comfort. "He giveth more grace as the burdens grow greater; He sendeth more strength when the labours increase; To added afflictions He addeth His Mercy, To multiplied trials His multiplied Peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoarded resources, Our Father's full giving is only begun. His love has no limit, His grace has no measure; His power no boundary known unto men; For out of His infinite riches in Jesus He giveth and giveth and giveth again."

My time working with the youth has brought me more surprises than I ever thought possible. The way their minds work, the questions they ask and the obvious time they spend carefully placing into words the amazing thoughts and their deepest feelings truly bowl me over. Tonight was one of those times. I received an email from a member of the youth asking me to follow the link to a video on youtube . The email went on to say how much this video had spoken to them and they wanted me to watch and hoped it would impact me the same way in which it had them. When I emailed back and asked if I could place it on my blog and explain the circumstances behind the video, their comment was "I guess the more people it touches the better". This video is a tribute to the people of America when Hurricane Katrina hit. It is a Christian Song entitled Lean on Me, sung by Kirk Franklin, Mary J, Bono, Crystal Lewis and R Kelly

I have been reflecting in many things this week and a real song of meditation and amazing worship for me has been Karen Wheaton "Lord You're Holy" . I was introduced to it at Kingdom Faith by Jane Urquhart at an amazing women's conference I attended there. The Lyrics are just awesome which is why I wanted to share them with you. Lord You’re holy, Lord You’re holy and we lift You up and magnify Your name I look around and I see, All the works Your hands have made, The awesomeness of You, And how Your love will never fade, Mere words cannot express what I feel inside, I can’t describe Your glory divine, But as a token of my love, This is what I’ll do, I lift my hands and cry, Lord You’re holy, Lord You’re holy and we lift You up and magnify Your name There’s not enough words that I can say, To tell You how much, I appreciate, all the wonderful things, You’ve given me, Your love and kindness, Your tender mercies, It’s my desire, to praise You and to tell You how much,...

This afternoon I went for a walk with my Mum. for those who know us, you could just imagine it!!! Both me and Mum limping along - but it was so lovely. We took the dog and just took a slow wander in Thorndon Park. We both needed to escape, get some fresh air and spend some time in the beautiful sunshine; but neither trusted the other to go on their own!!! Going together was wonderful, we had time to talk, reminisce and laugh!!! Our surrounds were just amazing, the vibrant colours and awesome scenery really encouraged us both. Genesis 1 v 11-12

Having spent some time out over the last week, I have had alot of time to read, study and just spend some much needed time with God. Worship has been an area of study for me, also I have been looking at love. How the love of God is unconditional and the difference between “agape” and “hasaq” both expressions of love, yet both so different. I stumbled across George Matheson in my studying. He was only a teenager when doctors told him he was going blind. Not to be denied, he pursued his studies, graduating from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861 at the age of 19. By the time he finished graduate seminary studies, he was sightless. His fiancée returned his engagement ring with a note: “I cannot see my way clear to go through life bound by the chains of marriage to a blind man.” Matheson never married. He adapted to his sightless world but never recovered from his broken heart. He became a powerful and poetic pastor, led a full and inspiring life. Yet occasionally the pain of hi...

The last couple of days I have been spending some time in Job and have been bowled over by his strength. loyalty, commitment and love for God. Job lost everything, his family, his home, his health. Yet his reaction was to worship God with everything. No matter how he felt he loved God and knew God must be worshiped. Lord I pray that you place into me a heart like Job, That I may be committed and fully devoted to you, that whatever the circumstances I find myself in, however I am feeling, I worship you first and foremost Amen